Ever since I became involved
Ever since I became involved in the Linear Park, my education has increased in many ways. I have discovered
how the council works, learnt about water sheds and drainage problems, and now i am very conversant with the
way the charity commission goes about its business. A new charity is recognised by the Inland Revenue by being
given a charity income tax number, but it is not allowed to go on the charity commissions list of charities until it
has proven itself by putting £5000+ through its bank account within a given financial year. We managed to do this
last year, and as a result we applied a few months ago to become a registered charity.
The biggest problem when you are a charity is the amount of forms you have to fill in to apply for grants and
things, and once again we had a book to complete. Our secretary did a sterling job, assisted by the treasurer, and
we are very happy to report that we are now a recognised charity with the charity commission. They were
extremely helpful in every way, and were very quick in their dealings with us, so we must thank them very much.
You will probably all be aware by now that we are the local Sainsbury’s Charity of the Year, and we are looking
forward to working closely with them over the coming months. One of our upcoming events is a quiz night at
Culcheth Sports Club on the 15th of October, and we are hoping for lots of teams entering. Our quiz master is very
good at making sure the questions are suitable for all ages, so we recommend that the teams have a good
younger and older mix on them. If our last one is anything to go by, this will be a great night out for all the family.
To register your team contact me on 767708. We could do with some great Halloween team names as this will
be part of the quiz theme this year.
We are trying to get the Linear Park reopened for horse riders, and have had a series of work days in the park. We
have been chopping down low branches that would be in a horse riders way, and fencing off by the ditching where
the ground is high, so that it will be safe. A few of the horse riding fraternity came down one weekend to help,
which was much appreciated. It has been fun, and I am covered with the scratches to prove it. We are always
looking for extra help, so if Andy and Dave the rangers put a notice up in the cabin you know when you can join in.
The exercise is excellent for all. We have a notice board in the window of the cabin, so keep an eye on it.
We had a stall at the recent event at the Harrow, which raised a little bit of money, and have commissioned a
specification that is being prepared which says what needs doing to improve the top path. When we get the
specification we can put it out to tender, and also start applying for grants to help us with the cost. It is a long
drawn out business, let me tell you.
The summer time has seen a lot of users in the park, and at times it has been difficult for people to find parking in
the car park. I am thrilled by this, as our original intent was to make the park an area that people wanted to be in
and to use. It was badly neglected before, and it is heart warming to see so many more people using it, whether it
is for exercise, family walks, children playing on bikes, bird watching, or for any other recreational use [within the
law]. Green spaces are vital for our physical and mental health.
You are able to get in touch with us through our web site, and every email you send us is discussed and
answered. We are sometimes tied by the fact that the park belongs to Warrington Council and not to us, we are
just here to help look after it, but we pass on anything we need to the relevant people, and take on board any
good ideas we can.
Sally Probert
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